Hungarian Grand Prix 2017 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel secured a crucial victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, converting pole position into a commanding win to extend his championship lead back to 14 points. The Ferrari driver delivered a controlled performance at the tight and twisty Hungaroring, where Kimi Raikkonen completed a perfect Ferrari one-two finish ahead of Valtteri Bottas's Mercedes in third.

Starting from pole, Vettel made a clean getaway and was never challenged throughout the 70-lap race. Raikkonen provided excellent support in second place, ensuring Ferrari maximized their points haul on a weekend where they had superior race pace. Bottas finished third for Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton could only manage fourth after a difficult race plagued by poor tire degradation. Fernando Alonso set the fastest lap for McLaren in a rare bright spot for the struggling Honda-powered team.

The victory came at a critical moment for Vettel and Ferrari, responding perfectly to Hamilton's Silverstone triumph. The German's controlled drive demonstrated his championship mettle, managing the race expertly on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult. Hamilton's struggles meant Vettel extended his championship advantage heading into the summer break, though at just 14 points the title race remained wide open. The result set up a fascinating second half of the season, with both drivers knowing that consistency would be crucial in the championship battle.